30th ANNUAL SALVATORE MARTIRANO MEMORIAL COMPOSITION AWARD

We are pleased to announce the winners of the University of Illinois School of Music 2026 Salvatore Martirano Memorial Composition Award. The awarded composers and their works are as follows:

1st Prize: Andrew Davis, “Deep Summer Folklore” for string quartet
2nd Prize: Yike Zhang, “Three Flows in Quartet” for flute, violin, cello, and piano
3rd Prize: Nathaniel Haering, “untitled” for amplified septet and live electronics (bass clarinet, contrabassoon, horn in F, trumpet in C, trombone, soprano voice, double bass)
Honorable Mention: Geli Li, “Breath II” for string trio

The three prizewinning compositions are scheduled to be performed on the campus of the University of Illinois by the Illinois Modern Ensemble at the annual Martirano Award Concert on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the Foellinger Great Hall at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. The composers will be invited to speak about their music at the UI Composers’ Forum and to attend a reception in their honor that will follow the award concert.

Read more about the 2026 winners

About Salvatore Martirano

About the 31st Annual Salvatore Martirano Memorial Composition Award - Applications open October 1, 2026. Deadline April, 15, 2027 11:59PM Central Time